About us
The research group Histories of Art, Architecture and Visual Culture (VISU) offers a platform for fundamental research on the history and theory of art, architecture and visual culture from the early modern period up to the present. We study not only the artistic and architectural practice, the material object and the spatial environment, but also the broader cultural, historical and societal context, which often relates to current themes such as new media, visualisation of conflict and war, urbanisation, sustainability, multiculturality and globalisation. Key questions concern the circulation of images, artefacts, practices and knowledge across boundaries. These cross-overs are understood as mutual interactions between the different arts and as exchanges between different cultures, traditions, regions or periods.
Recent News
Medieval and Early Modern Studies Spring School 2026
Materiality, Material Culture and Materialist Approaches – Ghent, 1-5 June 2026 This Spring School is organised by Ghent University (Doctoral Schools), the University of Groningen, the Huizinga Institute and the Dutch Research School for Medieval Studies in cooperation with different research grou...
Open call: Student-symposium ‘Uit de schaduw, in het licht’
Are you an Arts & Philosophy student and are you researching the Book Tower’s Special Collections? On Wednesday, 29 April 2026, a symposium will be held at the magnificent Belvedère in Ghent for students to present their discoveries linked to a title or artwork from the Special Collections.
Werkervaringsplek: redactie-assistent Early Modern Low Countries (deadline: 1 dec.)
Wil je leren hoe een wetenschappelijk tijdschrift tot stand komt? Wil je je redactievaardigheden verder ontwikkelen? En ben je geïnteresseerd in vroegmoderne geschiedenis? Meld je dan nu aan als redactie-assistent bij Early Modern Low Countries!
Events
Practical info04/12/2025 - 19:30 - 04/12/2025 - 21:30HONORARY DOCTORATES FOR FIVE BRUSSELS ARTISTS
On 4 December 2025, VUB and ULB jointly award honorary doctorates to five Brussels artists: Stromae, Amélie Nothomb, Lize Spit, François Schuiten and Ever Meulen. The festive ceremony takes place at Bozar in the great hall Henry Le Bœuf.
Practical info22/11/2025 - 10:00 - 10/05/2026 - 18:00EXHIBITION: ‘MARY OF HUNGARY: ART & POWER IN THE RENAISSANCE’
The exhibition ‘Marie de Hongrie: Art & Pouvoir à la Renaissance’ at the Musée royal de Mariemont (from 22 November 2025 to 10 May 2026) highlights the political, diplomatic and artistic role of a central 16th-century figure: Mary of Hungary, sister of Emperor Charles V and governor of the Low Countries.
Practical info07/11/2025 - 09:00 - 07/11/2025 - 18:00Conference: 'Architecture and the Literary Imagination'
On Friday 7 November 2025, Caterina Cardamone will be presenting at the conference "Architecture and the Literary Imagination" at the American University of Rome.
